A value-added model (VAM) formula makes up part of teachers' annual evaluation. Above, teachers at Endeavour Elementary in Cocoa.

William Worsham

I haven't been so confused since I tried to figure out standard deviations in college statistics. I think someone in the state capital has too much time on his or her hands. Parents don't want this, teachers don't want this, students don't want this, so why are we doing it?

Misty Haggard-Belford

Thank you for pointing out some of the flaws in VAM (value-added model) scores. I find it incredibly unfortunate that our teachers' pay and sometimes their jobs are based on such a flawed formula.

Lee Porter

If teacher evaluations are to be made public, then all Florida civil servants' evaluations should be made public. The parents are going to misinterpret these "partial" scores and not want their children to be taught by low-scoring teachers. Don't know why anyone would want to go into teaching with such public scrutiny and low pay. It's all about parent involvement. Look at the low-scoring schools and then look at the socioeconomic neighborhoods that feed that school. Teachers can only do so much with what they have to work with. Parents, wake up, and support your child's learning at home.

Arrietta Hannan Miner

If the calculations can't be explained to the teachers receiving them, how in the world are parents expected to understand them? Further, many teachers' VAM scores included being evaluated on a set of students they were responsible for yet never laid eyes on.

Matt Reed column: "If we pay (sales tax), who would watch the spending?"

Gary Shiffrin

Isn't it a shame that we are talking about an oversight committee for the spending of the money, even though I, too, made a similar recommendation. Where I have the issue is that our school board is elected for that very purpose. They are elected by the voters to oversee everything that the school system does. So why do we need another committee to do their job? I understand it is a matter of trust, and if that is what it will take to get this surtax passed, then I am all for it.

Kent Chapman

An excellent article, Matt Reed. I would agree with what the Orange County Schools did and would suggest that BPS do the same in the creation of a Citizens Construction Oversight and Value Engineering Committee. This could be the start of rebuilding the trust between BPS and the community. Pinellas County has ... the same type of accountability. I would also like to iterate again, as some have on the postings, to reclassify one position to a controller position to provide a check and balance within the BPS. The position would report directly to the school board. All district auditors would report to the controller, who would oversee compliance of school board policies. All areas of school administration and operations would be audited ... This is becoming a common practice with large school districts throughout the country, including Florida.

Linda Kyvik

So Gov Scott's long-term plan would be working, wouldn't it? His severe budget cuts of the past are coming to fruition; now we are considering paying for what he cut. The public will now take on the burden of what the governor took away. If only people would remember these things at the time of voting.

Eugene Robinson: "Boost minimum wage"

Randall Victor Brungart

Hey, Eugene, if raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour will create 300,000 jobs, why not boost the minimum wage to $20 an hour and create maybe 1 million jobs, or maybe it's 2 million jobs?

Rico Katt

The CBO (Congressional Budget Office) says 900,000 will be moved out of poverty, but 500,000 will lose their jobs and make zero. I thought sharing the wealth was good. President Obama should explain to these 500,000 newly unemployed why sharing the wealth isn't good for them too.

Norma Scott

If the minimum wage is raised to $10 an hour for an unskilled worker, then the skilled workers' wage has to go up also. We have trouble paying for help now and keeping jobs, what will happen if unskilled wages go sky high? Small business cannot afford to stay in business and big business will have to lay off workers. How does that help the job market? Get real, Mr. Robinson, and get an education so you can get a skilled worker's wage.